Now...or when?

[Score]

With the # of talented 17yr olds that the Rocket have, realistically, when would the best time be for this team to make an actual championship run?

Sure, each team would like to make a long playoff run each year, and we all here would like to see the Rocket have a good playoff, but with players like:

Chris Doyle 17-Top 2 round NHL prospect

Jordon Southorn 17-Top 2/3 round NHL prospect

Jan Kana 17-Top 2/3 round NHL prospect

Evan Mosher 17-Future QMJHL #1

Alan Clow 17-

Parker Deighan 17-

Brandon MacLean 16-

Jeremiah Coon-Come 17-

Nathan DesRoches 17-



From that group above, and by looking into the future, we could have one of the top scorers in the league with Doyle, a legit #1 with Mosher, and a top Dman with Southy. Of course that all could change, but as of now, the future looks solid all around.

And Kana came as advertised. To be honest, his point total so far has me a bit surprised. 12pts in his first 18gms. Nothing to write home about, but for a 17 yr old Euro, im pretty impressed....and he's only going to get better!

So, my question is, do the Rocket need to make a push for this season, or would the team benefit from trading a player like Morrison or Walker or Latal and REALLY turning this team into a future contender with the assests they will get in return?

I know that fans want to see this team not only make the playoffs, but to pass a round or two this season, but do we want to see this team make a mistake by holding onto such assests like Mo/Walker/Latal?...as none of them will be returning next season.(Can't see Latal coming back as a 20 +Euro)

I would love to see this team make a splash in the playoffs this season, but as I look at this teams talented youth, and the assets that they have to trade with this season, and with Chouinard, I think that they could really put together a special team if they play there cards right and could possibly turn this team into a league contender......just not this season.

Thoughts?

[wingman]

As much as I would like to see the Rocket have a good playoff run sooner than later, I think it may be best if they were to build the team around these guys for when they hit their "junior prime" which is usually when they are 18 or 19.

If it's in the team's best interests to do something like that, players like Walker, Morrison, Latal, Lessard and 19 year olds like Locke and Lachaine are not going to be here when/if that happens. With that being said, if the Rocket are serious about building up for next season or so, they have to/should be moving these guys to get more 17/18 year old future core players and to also get something in return for departing players instead of nothing. There were times in the past where the Rocket didn't make moves with the future in mind when it came to departing players, and I think that has hurt the Rocket when trying to build playoff contending teams.

[SteveUL]

Building a strong team around the solid core of 17 YO for a championship run in 2 yrs would go a long way to solidifying your team in PEI. There is nothing like a playoff run to capture the interest of the fans ... even if you don't make it all the way ... making it to the semis can be big when its your first time. Its more than you have seen there as fans ... it shows progress ... the fans remember it and it generates season ticket sales for the following year.

This years team has the talent to be much better than it is showing ... but it doesn't have the legs to go all the way. You can make a couple of trades but you still won't be there ... so moving out those talented vets at Xmas will go a long way to improving next year and the year after.

I would also consider moving Lafleur if you don't think he'd be back at 20 ... goaltending could be a hot commodity at Xmas. Even if you don't move him Mosher will need more icetime in the 2nd half to prepare to take over.

[IslandersHKY]

Interesting topic Score and I have a few comments.

First I continue to be amazed at how people continue to discount Malouin, he really should be included in that group as IMO he has been just as good or better than Clow & Deighan, yet people continue to talk about him separately. I still believe by the end of the season he will really emerge and I really think he will be a solid Top 4 defense next season if given the opportunity.

Also good comments on Kana I have really loved his addition and he will become a big point scorer for us. Just to put things in perspective:

Trukhno's rookie stats by Nov 1
Gms - 14
Goals - 5
Pts - 14
Finished with 64gms / 25 goals / 59 pts

Latal's rookie stats by Nov 1
Gms - 13
Goals - 3
Pts - 8
Finished with 66 gms / 18 goals / 46 pts

Kana's rookie stats by Nov 1
Gms - 18
Goals - 7
Pts - 12
Forcasted for 70 gms / 27 goals / 47 pts

Euros generally take a month or two to get adjusted to the league although like Trukhno and Kana appeared to have adjusted very well right from the get-go. And don't forget that in his Rookie Season Trukhno was top line with Bureau & Soucy where Kana is getting his points from the second line. No doubt about it this kid is going to be great for us over the next 3 yrs.


As for next season what our team could look like is something like this:

Kana-Doyle-Euro
McKinley-CoonCome- 20 yr old
MacLean-Lachaine-DesRoches
Wright-Street-

Southorn-Gervais
Malouin-Clow
Deighan

Mosher
Gelinas

That also leaves Lessard with a possability of returning as well as a question on if Locke is our other 20 yr old or if the Rocket add a higher impact 20 yr old. But unless Locke really breaks out and shows that potential that we have seen I think the Rocket should (and will) go after a high calibre 20 yr old (eg. Pare/Hooper type) next season the challenge is the best 20 yr olds are the riskiest to add in June so Locke might start the season with the Rocket either way.


With the team listed above our defense could be very solid for next season but we will have 2 big question marks on offense. But if the Rocket could add that top 20 yr old forward and another Euro like Kana/Latal capable playing as a scoring forward I think they will have the pieces needed. There is also DesRoches & MacLean who have the offensive talent that they could step up as a 6th forward as early as next season, not something I'm counting on but certainly a possability. Relying on a rookie goalie is also a risk but Mosher has played well in the MJAHL and it helps that he is supported by a veteran backup in Gelinas.

Then we look at this season's team who I still really believe has the talent to make some noise if they get things going. It is kind of funny because coming into the season the big question mark was supposed to be secondary scoring but right now the Rocket are among the leaders in Goals For and are worst in the league in Goals against because of inconsistent goaltending and defensive breakdowns. If Lafleur can get back on track and the Rocket tighten up their defense a little this team could really make some noise.


With all that said what I would like to do and think that the Rocket will do unless things don't show any signs of improvement over the next 2 months is only make a minor tweak this season and compete in the playoffs, than try to make some offseason additions and challange next season.


This strategy won't make the Rocket automatic contenders but it will give them 2 strong seasons where they have the potential to compete for a champtionship which is something this city and the franchise needs.

I am sure some will argue that by not completely load up or dismantling this year's team the Rocket don't really have a chance either year but I believe in the core of this team and would rather take too good shots at a championship than 1 really good one and likely fall short. Just my opinion.

[bois]

The overwhelming strength of this team is in it's 17's and 20's... not a chance of staying the course and competing this year or next.. the team must decide whether to sacrifice some youth now and go for it or sacrifice the veteran talent they have and build towards next year and moreso the year after

I will support either option.. I will not support the tweak and see option any longer.. it hasn't worked and I don't believe it ever will

[rocketlauncher]

Clow will prob be gone at Christmas....75% chance

[coreyapple]

Basically, I agree that the Rocket should be content with making the playoffs this year (no tall order!), and make some trades at Christmas in order to build for the future.

But here's what I worry about.

For the keenest Rocket fans, including myself, this will make sense, and they'll still support the team and go to the games.

However, most of the casual fans will be hearing this for the umpteenth time, will lose interest, and there'll be a further dropoff in attendance and support.

Not sure that the Rocket can afford to concentrate strictly on 08-09 and 09-10.

Oh, and by the way, once you get past Kana and Doyle, our 17-year-olds are not THAT good - are they?

[wingman]

You wouldn't consider Southorn to be a good player? Offer him to any of the other teams in the league and see whether or not they would want him on their team. It's the first year for alot of the Rocket's 17 year olds and time will tell if they can be considered core players for this team, but kind of early to be labelling them "not that good" when they've haven't even played a quarter of a season yet.

I agree about the attendance and support, but what are the Rocket to do. Remain a non-contending playoff team and never have a strong playoff or bite the bullet, not only on the ice, but financially as well and build a contending team?

[bois]

It won't be easy but it has to be done.. and really it should have been done 2-3 years ago

They've already lost most of their casual fans.... it's basically only the hardcore keen supporters left.. so let's see if we will actually support them thru the necessary doldrums of REBUILD

it is ironic tho (or if it isn't you'll explain to me in great anal detail why not) that you claim you'll support them if they build for the future yet you still think trading Boutin was the greatest mistake the Rocket ever made....

the greatest mistake they make year in and year out is not actually having a plan and following thru with it... they seem to constantly trade players for older players then turn around and trade the older players they have already for draft picks...

I honestly can't figure out what they've ever tried to do on ice since year one.... I am hoping Guy can put a real hockey plan together and stick to it and finally show the real keen fan that they are trying to someday build a competitive team here

[wingman]

And if Chouinard is to put together a real hockey plan, I hope he is allowed to put such a plan in place and be allowed to follow through on it. Seen it happen with teams where ownership got impatient and changed a long term plan in favor of a short term gain. Too many times the Rocket took a "wait-and-see" approach which didn't work and the fans got tired of, the Rocket put themselves in that situation, they can't put it all on the fans.

[coreyapple]

bois said:

it is ironic tho (or if it isn't you'll explain to me in great anal detail why not) that you claim you'll support them if they build for the future yet you still think trading Boutin was the greatest mistake the Rocket ever made....

As requested, the word you were looking for is "contradictory", not "ironic". Hope that's the level of "detail" you can handle.

I really don't see what's "anal" about this, but I'm sure you would know.

I never said trading Boutin was the Rocket's "greatest mistake ever" - you made that up.

Although I agree that the Rocket should be rebuilding at this point, I'll add two things:

1) Missing the playoffs next spring (it could happen, WTF is the Rocket going to beat out in the East) would cause a massive fan exodus, which could be fatal to the franchise. Try selling tickets - ANY tickets - next year, coming off a 17th-place finish.

2) Whoever they trade, it shouldn't be Latal - he's the only player putting butts in the seats at this point, he's great fun to watch, game in, game out....probably the most fun-to-watch player in PEI Rocket history....hey, he's the only excitement we have right now!

Morrison, sure, Walker, perhaps, Lafleur, for sure, but NOT Latal.

[IslandersHKY]

Firstly I want to say great post Bois and I agree that the biggest issue this team has had is not really showing a clear direction. However I think it is unfair to question if PEI fans are willing to support a rebuild. After a great first season fans supported yrs 1 & 2 of the rebuild. But now we are in yr 4 and we haven't really seen great results from that effort which is why support is degenerating. So IMO it is not the rebuild that has lost fans it is more the lack of direction and indications of improvement.


As for this Rocket team I guess it depends on your opinion of them. What I see this year's Rocket team is somewhat like last season's RN team.

A good team but not really a contender as much of their team was still a year away from entering their prime. They made a couple of additions without significantly subtracting from their future (Hawes & Carle), only had an average season wins wise but made a run to the 3rd round of the playoffs.

This season their younger guys have benefited from that experience, in the offseason they added that big piece they were missing (starting goalie) and are ready to make another run in the playoffs.

Personally that is what I would like to see this team do. As I really feel that they do have a team (some minor additions) could make a real run at the playoffs. Plus then next season you have a team in place which has benefited from the experience and still has the assets to make another run.

Compare that too Drummondville who tried to be a contender last season and it got them nowhere or Bathurst who tried to start a rebuild midway through last season and it hasn't really worked out for them so far this season.


Because if you load up anything less than a chance at winning the 3rd round is a complete failure and after a poor start (even if the Rocket turn it around) they are potentially looking at Halifax in the 2nd round and the best team in the league in the 3rd.

Or if this team sells off lets say Morrison the Rocket not only lose their 100 pts guy I think Walker isn't as good and you lose a lot of leadership. To me that is enough to write off the season fans are way down and the Rocket again lose in the first round. Plus the return has to pay big dividends the following season. Generally you get a great 16 yr old plus draft picks which is a 2 yr wait. And even if those assets work out what if other things fall apart. What if Doyle makes the NHL at 18 or we aren't able to find solid goaltending. You just sacrificed the previous year for nothing.


I guess what I am trying to say is that espeically with the situation this team is in this season I don't think loading up or a firesale sale is the right choice.

I would much prefer some minor moves (as necessary) but the key is as bois stated it needs to be a focussed plan.

[jimmy]

When did R-N add a number 1 goalie? As far as I know, they are still in the market ... they drafted a euro, but he is backing up Blouin ... last year they had the very solid Levasseur, there is apparently still some hope he will return as he was recently demoted to the ECHL.

[coreyapple]

I find it hard to understand why you would consider RN a "non-contender" last season, when they won two playoff rounds and made it to the semi-final, only to lose to Lewiston.

"Minor tweaking" is what the Rocket has done at trade time most years - and it hasn't worked, in terms of building towards having a long-term contender.

"Minor moves" and a "focussed plan" seem to me to be incompatible with each other - a "focussed plan" would necessarily involve significant moves.

So you wouldn't trade Morrison, nor would you trade Walker - OK then, would you trade Latal?

I've already said that I wouldn't - I think the effect of trading Latal would be much more corrosive in terms of fan interest than that of trading either #17 or #8.

Oh, and Bois, the biggest mistake the Rocket ever made has nothing to do with goalies.

Biggest mistake was hiring a 30-year-old coach for the team, then keeping him on even in the face of manifest incompetence.

[wingman]

So in other words make minor changes, keep the course, have another early playoff exit, that's if they make the playoffs, and hopefully things will come together for next season. That's been the plan since they have been here and it hasn't worked. Right now they don't have the assets to make a real run at the playoffs this year and they lose two big offensive assets for next season. To make a real playoff run this year they are going to need at least a top-2 experienced defenseman and a top 6 forward and they will not be cheap come Xmas trading period. Chances are some of our young assets for next year will have to be sacrificed to get those kind of players.